OpenSecrets PolitiQuizz: Judicious Investments

By now the initial furor over the Supreme Court’s upholding of President Obama‘s health care overhaul has subsided, giving way to related controversies: John Roberts’ reported vote switch, for example, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s announcement that he will not implement parts of the law.

The justices are supposed to be insulated from political pressure when deciding cases. Appointed for lifetime terms, for example, they don’t have to face voters. Still, SCOTUS is not immune from personal considerations that can damage its aura of impartiality.

Justice Elena Kagan recently recused herself from the case dealing with Arizona’s immigration law because she was the Obama administration’s solicitor general when the case was initially filed. Justice Clarence Thomas faced criticism when he did not recuse himself from the healthcare case, with some liberal groups claiming that his wife’s advocacy against the law constituted a conflict of interest.

Like elected officials on Capitol Hill and in the White House, members of the Court must disclose their personal financial holdings to the public. Just one justice reported any investments in health care-related companies: Less than $15,000 in Hill-Rom Holdings, which makes hospital beds and other medical supplies. The corporation could be affected by the health care law’s excise tax on sales of medical devices.

We want to know:

Which Supreme Court justice reported investments of up to $15,000 in medical supplies company Hill-Rom during 2011?

Which Senate amendment, intended to repeal an excise tax based on ethanol, did Tyson Foods lobby on in 2011? Answer that question, then name at least one other organization that also lobbied on the amendment in 2011.

The answer: Tyson Foods lobbied on Senate Amendment 436, along with the Friends Committee on National Legislation, Growth Energy, the Environmental Working Group and Lyondell Chemical.

Congratulations to the winner, “Rpantoja,” who was the first to name the correct amendment. Please email us at [email protected] so we can send you the spoils.

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